Former USC LB Solomon Tuliaupupu granted ninth season of eligibility

In December, USC secured the top-ranked recruiting class in the nation, marking its first top-five class since 2018 under Clay Helton. Meanwhile, former USC linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu, now with Montana, was granted a rare ninth year of eligibility by the NCAA due to a history of injuries that caused him to miss significant playing time. Tuliaupupu originally signed with USC in 2018, a period that saw Clay Helton as head coach, Lynn Swann as athletic director, and Max Nikias as university president.

USC has undergone significant changes since Tuliaupupu's initial signing. Clay Helton, after receiving a contract extension for successful seasons, was eventually replaced. Lynn Swann resigned in 2019, and Max Nikias stepped down in 2018 amidst a scandal. The landscape of college football and USC's program have evolved, with current head coach Lincoln Riley having been at Oklahoma during Tuliaupupu's signing.

Tuliaupupu's recruitment